Flexible pipe connection.



PATENTED OUT. 16, 1906. J. P. MQOANN. FLEXIBLE PIPE CONNECTION.APPLIGATION FILED MAILM, 190.4. RENEWED MAR. 29. 1906.

- which is detrimenta UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JOHN P. McGANN, OF ARNOLD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WINDOW GLASSMACHINE COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A GOR- PORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

' FLEXIBLE PIPE CONNECTION.

Specification of Letters Patent...

Patented Oct. 16,1906.

Application filed March 14,1904. Renewed March 29, 1906. Serial No.308,739.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN P. MoCANN, a citizen-0f the United States ofAmerica, residing at Arnold, in the county of Westmoreland and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in-Flexible Pipe Connections, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to flexible pipe connections, and has forits object to provide a flexible connection for pipes which will beparticularly adapted for use in connection with glass-blowingmachine's.-

'Heretofore and before my invention was put into practice a rubber hosehas been used in connection with glass-blowing machines to connect amovable pipe with-a stationary pipe, and great trouble has beenexperienced in this rubber hose becoming worn, cracked, and unfit forservice aftera very short period of use, the above condition of the hosepermittin of the leakage of air,

to the process of blowing glass. j

In'glass-blowing machines the air is fed to the machine by telescopingpipes to which one end of a rubber hose has been-attached, the other endof the rubber hose being at tached to a movable blowpipe which leadsinto the pot of glass and it is the main object of my invention toconstruct a flexible joint between this telescopic pipe and the blow--pipe, the joint being so constructed that the two pipes may be brokenapart or detached at any time it is desired, and the many otheradvantages will be apparent from the follow' ing description, taken inconnection with'the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, like nu merals of reference indicate like"parts throughout the several views of the drawings, in which Figure 1 isa front elevation of my im-' proved flexible connection. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the flexible pipe connection, showing thesupporting-arm in an extended position in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view of the flexible connection. Fig. 4 is a verticalcross-sectional view of the flexible connection illustrated in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of one of theattachments of my improved flexible pipe connections. Fig. 6 is a crosssectiona View of the supporting-arm, showing the forked end thereof.Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modified form offlexible connection. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the lineat a: of Fig. 7, with the elbow-pipe removed.

In the accompanying drawings, the referencenumeral 1 designates the endof the ordinary telescopic pipe now generally used inconnection withglass-blowing machines, and connected to the end of'this pipe is anelbow-pipe 2, in the-front side of which I mount a cock 3. The objectthereof will be hereinaftermore fully described.

Threaded upon the end of the elbow-pipe 2 is a T-shaped pipe or union 4,in which is mounted longitudinally of its length a plug 5, this plugbeing similar in construction to an ordinary plug-valve. The plug 5 isprovided with an aperture 6, into which is threaded the contracted end 7of a pi e 8, the T- shaped pipe 4 having a slot 9 ormed in the lowerside of its body to permit the securing of the contracted end 7 of thepipe 8 to the plug 5, the slot 9, extending two-thirds of the distancearound the horizontal ortion of the T-shaped'pipe, whereby the p ug 5may be rotated therein, thus providing a flexible connection between theelbow-shaped pipe 2 and the pipe 8. In each end of the plug 5 isprovided a threaded aperture 10, into which is secured a screw-threadedbolt 11, and supported upon these screw-threaded bolts are the arms 12of the bifurcated supporting-arm 14. v This arm 14 extends downwardly ashort distance and is again bifurcated, forming a fork, the prongs 15 ofthe said fork extending at right angles to the supporting-arm 14, theouter ends of the prongs being tapered,as indicated at 16. Centrally ofthe length" of the siipporting-arm 14 I securea U-shaped spring 17, thisspring being secured to the rear side of the supporting-arm 14 by a boltand nut, at at 18, the ends of the U-shaped. spring 17 being rolled, asindicated at 19, and this spring 17 is employed to grip the pipe 8 andhold the same in vertical alinement with the sup porting-arm 14. Uponthe front side of the supporting-arm 14 and preferably near the lowerend thereof I secure by bolt and nut, as at 20, a cross-arm 21, whichprovides means whereby the supporting-arm may be gripped and forced outto a position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The lower end of the pipe 8 is threaded, as designated by thereference-numeral 22, and upon this threaded end is secured a flangedsleeve 23. Prior to securing this sleeve 23 upon the threaded end 22 ofthe'pipe 8 a packing 24 is placed within the groove 25, formed in theend of the pipe 8. This packing is supported in the groove 25 by aflanged sleeve 26, a groove 27 being formed in the endof the pipe andthe flanged portion 28 thereof.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings I have illustrated a modified form ofconstruction of the flexible connection shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of thedrawings, this modified form consisting of a T-shaped pipe 4, whichissimilar in construction to the T-shaped pipe illustrated in 20 Figs. 3and 4, with the exception that the longitudinall '-formed opening in thehorizontal portion of this pipe is made tapered, as designated at 4, andinto this tapered opening is placed a tapered plug 5, which has anaperture 6, similar to the aperture 6 of the plug 5. The tapered plug 5has formed integral with its smallest end a threaded annular projection29, and one side of this threaded annular projection is cut away, asindicated at 30, forming a flattened surface, and upon the projection 29is placed a washer 31, which is held from rotation upon the projection29 by the flattened surface 30 thereof, and secured on the threaded-endof the projection 29 is a jam-nut 32. By this construction it will bereadily seen that the tapered plug 5 can be drawn farther into theT-shaped pipe 4 to afford an air-tight connection between the pipe 2 andthe pipe 8. The ends of the tapered plug 5 are provided with threadedapertures 10, in whlch are secured threaded bolts similar to the boltsused in the preferred form of construction, and upon these bolts issupported the supporting-arm 14. When the elbow-shaped pipe 2 has beensecured to the end of the telescopic pipe 1 and it is desired to connectthe blowpipe of the glass-blowing machine thereto, a collar 33 issecured upon the end of the blowpipe 34 by a set-screw 35, and theprongs 15 of the forked end of the arm 14 are placed under the edge ofthe collar 33, the prongs 15 spanning the blowpipe 34, and when thesupport ing-arm 14 is thrown from the position in dotted lines shown inFig. 2 to the position in full line of the same figure the top edge of,the collar 33 will engage with the bottom edge of the sleeve 26, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When it is desired todisconnect the two pipes 8 and 34, respectively, the arm 14 is forcedoutwardly by striking the cross-arm 21. This movement will disengage thecollar 33' from the sleeve 26, and the blowpipe 34 may be removed fromthe forks of the supporting-arm 14.

' formed in its lower In the operation of glass-molding machinesconsiderable trouble has been experienced by reason of an excess amountof air passing through the blowpipe. It has generally been the practiceto obviate this by providing the elbow-pipe (similar to pipe 2 in mydevice) with a small opening normally closed in a crude manner, such asby a wooden plug, and when the air-pressure would exceed the certainpressure required during the blowing process this plug would be removedto permit the air to escape. In my device I have dispensed with thiscrude method and provide the elbow-pipe 2 with a cock 3, as shown inFigs. 1 and 4, which ma be readily opened and closed, as desired.Furthehblowpipes as used with glass-molding machines are subjected togreat heat, which oftentimes causes irregularities to be formed on theend of the blowpipe due to the shrinking or distorting of the pipe underthe action of the heat. To obviate this, I provide the sleeves 23 26,and

in case the blowpipe 34 becomes shrunken or distorted, and thereby madeirregular on its end, so as to prevent a close fitting with thecoupling, I can file off the end of pipe 34 to, make it smooth andfitneatly with sleeve 26, the sleeve 23 roviding for the loss of matelrialon end oi pipe 34, enabling me to dispense with different lengths ofstem-pipes 8.

It will be apparent from the above description, taken in connection withthe drawings, that many other advantages exist which will be readilyseen by those skilled in the art, and while I have herein shown anddescribed a construction which is particularly adapted for a flexiblepipe connection of this character it will be observed that I may makevarious changes in the details of construction without departing fromthe general spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a device of the characterdescribed, the combination of a T-shaped pipe having a slot formed inits lower side, a plug mounted in said pipe, an elbow-pipe secured inthe upper part of said T-shaped pipe, a pipe secured in said plug, saidpipe communicating with the elbow-pipe through said plug, means carriedby said plug for supporting apipe against the lower end of the pipeengaging in the plug. 2. In a device of the character described, thecombination with a T-shaped pipe having a slot formed in its lower side,a plug mounted within said pipe, and an elbow-pipe mounted in saidT-shaped pipe, of a pipe secured in said plug and communicating with theelbow-pipe, a supporting-arm carried by said plug, means carried by saidarm for supporting a pipe in engagement with the pipe engaging in saidplug, and means carried by said arm for holding said pipes in alinement.3. A device of the character described, comprising a T-shafped pipehaving a slot ace, a pipe mounted in its up er face a plug mounted insaid T- shape pipe, and having an a erture formed therein, a pipesecured in sai aperture, and means carried by said plug for supporting apipe in engagement with the first-mentioned p1'pe.

ing with the first-named pipe, a supporting arm pivotally'connected tosaid plug, means carried by the lower end of said arm for su porting apipe in engagement with t e second-named ipe, and means carried by saidarm for ho ding said last-named pipe in alinement with said second-namedpipe.

5. A flexible pipe connection comprising a T-shaped pipe, said pipehaving a slot formed therein, an elbow-pipe secured in said T- shapedipe, a plug rotatably mounted within the orizontal portion of saidT-shaped pipe, said plug having an aperture formed therein, apipesecured in said aperture and communicating with the elbow-pipe, asupporting-arm pivotally mounted to said plug, means carried by thelower end of said arm for supporting a pipe in engagement with thefirst-named-plpe, means carried by said arm for holding t e first-namedpipe in alinement with said second-named pipe, and a cock carried by theelbow-pipe.

6. A flexible pipe connection for glassblowing machines, comprising aT-shaped pipe, an elbow-pipe secured in the upper part of said T-shapedpipe, a cock carried by said elbowipe, said T-sha ed pipe having a slot-forme in its horizonta portion, a plug rota 'tably mounted within saidT-shaped pipe,

said plug having an aperture formed therein, a pipe secured in saidaperture and communicating with the elbow-pipe, an arm pivotallyconnected to said plug, the lower end of said arm being bifurcated andadapted to support a ipe, and a spring carried by said arm and a aptedto hold the first-named pi e in alinement with second-named pipe, sustantially as described.

7. A flexible pipe connection for glassblowing machines, com rising aT-shaped pipe having a slot forme therein, a pipe carried by saidT-pipe, a plug mounted in said T-pipe, a pipe'carried by said plug andmeans carried by said plug for supporting a pipe, substantially asdescribed.

8. A flexible pipe connection for glassblowing machines, comprising twosections of pipe, means for pivotally connecting said pipe together andmeans carried by the firstnamed means to sup ort a pipe 1n engagementwith one of the i irst-named pipes.

9. A flexible pipe connection for glassblowing machines, comprising twosections of pipe hinged together and in communication with each other,means carried by one of said pipes for sup orting a pipe incommunication with one o the first-named pipes,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN P. MOCANN. Witnesses:

WM. E. KING,

BUTLER.

